California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) is traveling to the nation’s capital this week amid a push to protect California’s policies from President-elect Trump, following his decisive victory in the White House race.
The Democratic governor is seeking a $5.2 billion reimbursement for emergency funding, updates to California’s Medicaid program and other priorities during his meeting with the Biden administration, The Associated Press (AP) reported.
Newsom left his home state on Monday and is expected to return Wednesday during a trip where he will also meet with California’s Congressional representatives.
His trip to Washington comes less than a week after he issued a proclamation to convene a special session of the state legislature in December to safeguard his policies, particularly those regarding the climate, immigration and reproductive freedoms.
“California has faced this challenge before, and we know how to respond,” Newsom said. “We will do everything necessary to ensure Californians have the support and resources they need to thrive.”
A day after issuing the proclamation, Trump slammed the blue-state governor’s push.
“He is using the term ‘Trump-Proof’ as a way of stopping all of the GREAT things that can be done to ‘Make California Great Again,’ but I just overwhelmingly won the Election,” Trump wrote Friday on Truth Social.
“People are being forced to leave due to his, & other’s, INSANE POLICY DECISIONS,” the president-elect added.
Newsom’s administration filed over 100 lawsuits during Trump’s first term in the White House. Trump’s administration warned California officials in 2019, alleging the state’s deal with automakers over tailpipe pollution is violating federal law.
Recently, Trump has gone after the Golden State governor, including criticism him last year over regulations that would transition cars from gas-powered to electric vehicles.
“Along with crooked Joe Biden, Newsom is also killing our car industry,” he said.
